Pediomelum cuspidatum

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Pediomelum cuspidatum
Pediomelum cuspidatum.PNG
Scientific classification
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P. cuspidatum
Binomial name
Pediomelum cuspidatum
(Pursh) Rydb.

Pediomelum cuspidatum (also known as Psoralea cuspidata) is a perennial herb also known as the buffalo pea, largebract Indian breadroot and the tall-bread scurf-pea. It is found on the black soil prairies in Texas. It has an inflorescence on stems 18-40 centimeters long arising from a subterranean stem and deep carrot-shaped root that is 4–15 cm long. The long petioled leaves are palmately divided into 5 linear-elliptic leaflets that are 2-4 centimeters long. The flowers, borne in condensed spikes from the leaves, are light blue and pea-like.

Pediomelum cuspidatum seed Pediomelum cuspidatum seed.PNG
Pediomelum cuspidatum seed

Cultivation and uses

Pediomelum cuspidata emerges in late Spring, and sets few seeds, unlike its smaller, fecund cousin Pediomelum hypogaeum . The species has edible tuberous roots, although some sources describe it as 'bitter'.

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